Online registration for Summer Nationals in Puerto Rico CLOSES this Thursday, July 8. Don't miss this opportunity to swim in a first class facility in beautiful San Juan. Many of our members are bringing their families and making a vacation of it.


If you have already registered but did not purchase a shuttle pass or Gold Medal Sponsor package for meals and would like to purchase them, please email Tracy Grilli or call her at 1-800-550-7946.


As you move through online registration, you will notice that there are many apparel options, including women's cuts, tech shirts, polos and more available for this meet-- be sure to order them during the online registration process-- only limited styles and quantities may be available for purchase at the meet.


The Ocean Park Open Water Challenge will cap off Summer Nationals on August 13. Meet registrants will receive more information on this fun event via our See You In San Juan! e-mails in the coming weeks.

See You in San Juan!

SwimFest '10 -- One Participant's Perspective

By June Hussey

It's nearly midnight when I arrive home Sunday night after a weekend at SwimFest '10. I still have salt in my ears and sand in my toes from our open water session at La Jolla Shores. My lats are sore and my back is sunburned. After two full days of intense concentration in and out of the water, I'm tired, yet completely satisfied.

I've just spent the last two days with 150+ people, most of whom I'd never before met. About half were Masters swim coaches being mentored by some of the most experienced Masters coaches in the U.S. The other half were a cross section of USMS's demographic: committed swimmers "swimming for life," spanning three generations, males and females, all shapes, sizes and speeds. [Read more]

• For another perspective on SwimFest '10, see Jay Peluso's Forums entry.

by the Professionals at Hammer Nutrition:
Steve Born and Laura Lee LaBelle

As a competitive swimmer, you want to get the most out of every workout and race, so you can enjoy the best possible results come race day. Although the subject of proper fueling encompasses a number of factors, here are three that we believe are of the utmost importance. Adopt these in your training and racing, and we have no doubt you'll experience higher quality workouts and better race results. [Read more]

by Dave Samuelsohn

As swimmers, when we think of balance, the idea of body roll, smooth and effortless, comes to mind. But as Masters swimmers, as adults with complex lives and pressures, the idea of balance takes on a deeper, richer meaning. Balance for us is more than getting our hips up and our heads in line. Balance comes from taking a step away - from a broader perspective that encompasses more aspects of our lives than just swimming. Yet, a perspective that profoundly influences the satisfaction we can derive from our sport. Here are some thoughts on balance and on its influence on and by swimming. [Read more]

Long Distance National Championships:

• 2-Mile Cable Championships Chris Greene Lake, Charlottesville, Va. July 10
• USMS 6+ Mile Open Water Championships (10 km) Morse Reservoir, Noblesville, Ind. July 17
  

The H2Open Water Series, USMS's National open water series:

• Big Shoulders, Chicago Ill., September 11
• Tropical Splash, Sarasota, Fla., Oct 2

The first three USMS Long Distance National Championships have come and gone. If you missed them, intrepid blogger and SPMA Member at Large Rob Dumouchel was on hand to give us one swimmer's view. Watch his journey in the video below.

    

• Also check out the 1-3 Mile Open Water Championships co-event Director Bill McCracken's YouTube video.

 

The USMS Coaches Committee is proud to announce the selection of four deserving coaches for the XIII FINA World Masters Championships in Goteborg and Boras Sweden, July 28th - Aug 7th.

Craig Keller (Head Coach) - Asphalt Green
Cokie Lepinski - Marin Pirates
Ed Reed - Crimson Tide
Mark Johnston - Colorado Masters

Is There an Artist in You?

Are you an artist and a swimmer? If so, now's your chance to shine and combine your love of both for the World Aquatic Health Conference Aquatic Art Exhibition. The Exhibition is accepting work for a juried three-day exhibit... [Read more]

Questions? E-mail: springartshow1@gmail.com

by Linda Shoenberger

Linda Shoenberger, Vice-Chair of the Fitness Committee, oversees the Fitness Article of the Month at usms.org. This month, after watching the daily recap videos from Spring Nationals in Atlanta, she penned an interesting viewpoint-- looking at Nationals through the lens of a fitness swimmer. [Read more]

by Kathy Casey, USMS Rules Chair, and Heather Hagadorn, USMS Long Distance Chair

Rules Chair Kathy Casey and Long Distance Chair Heather Hagadorn have written the following FAQ in answer to the numerous questions they have been receiving about the USMS January 2010 swimsuit rule change. [Read more]

We've Got Spirit!

Ohio Masters

The Cleveland State University workout group had a visitor recently at a morning swim practice. While a door to the pool was propped open to let in some air, a deer ran in, jumped in the pool and swam some laps.

This raises some questions ... Would the team's USMS insurance have covered the deer?  Or would the insurance have been voided due to the fact that a non-member was swimming with the group?

"I tried to have the deer sign the USMS agreement before it jumped in the pool, but it decided to jump in and start swimming," says Ohio Masters Member Dan Cox, adding, "It swam a few laps before myself and a couple of other guys herded it to the shallow end of the pool and lowered some  steps to help it exit the pool."

Thankfully no swimmers, including the deer, were hurt in all the excitement.